Disaster Management
Information for North Coast communities
Healthy North Coast is committed to supporting community members prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other emergencies.
The Primary Care Flood Reflections report captures insights from the flood response and the role of primary care in disaster recovery. Read more here.
For information specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit our COVID-19 page.
Readiness
Our region experiences a range of natural disasters including floods, bushfires, and drought. Being prepared for an emergency can save lives and support you and your family’s health and wellbeing during and after disasters. Â
If you want to be prepared for a future disaster, have experienced a disaster or are recovering from a disaster, visit the Australian Red Cross for useful emergency management information and resources.
Response
Healthy North Coast offers a range of services to support communities during a disaster or emergency situation.
Local primary health services
Heathdirect Service Finder
General practices, Aboriginal medical services, pharmacies and allied health providers can be impacted by disasters. Please contact your health provider before attending to ensure they are open. You can use the Healthdirect Service Finder to locate a health service near you.
Healthdirect
If your life is in danger, please call Triple Zero (000)
If you need medical advice and care, call Healthdirect for free, 24/7 on 1800 022 222Â and speak to a registered nurse. They can also connect you or your children with virtual health care services, so you can receive care from wherever you are.
North Coast Health Connect
North Coast Health Connect offers 24/7 confidential medical advice from registered nurses free, with no out of pocket costs via phone or web chat. North Coast Health Connect can connect you to a face-to-face or virtual bulk-billed GP appointment if needed. Call 1800 198 888 Â
Mental health support
Immediate 24/7 help
- Mental Health Line 1800 011 511
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- MensLine 1300 78 99 78
- Lifeline Text 0477 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 (children under 12 years)
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- NSW Domestic Violence Line 1800 65 64 63
- Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 268
- In an emergency, please call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
Medicare Mental Health phone line
Call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 for advice, information and connection. This service is available 24/7 and is free to call with no referral needed.
Lismore Medicare Mental Health Walk-in Centre
Visit the Lismore Medicare Mental Health Walk-in Centre at the Lismore Health Precinct. It offers a safe and welcoming place for people to access mental health information, services and supports from multidisciplinary care teams over extended hours. Anyone can reach out for support for themselves, a loved one or patient and client.
It is free and no appointment or referral is needed.
Open hours:
- Mon to Fri 10 am − 8pmÂ
- Sat 12 pm − 8 pm
- Sun 10 am − 2 pm
Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Walk-in Centre
Visit the Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health walk-in clinic at the Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre. They offer a safe and welcoming place for people to access mental health information, services and supports from multidisciplinary care teams over extended hours. Anyone can reach out for support for themselves, a loved one or patient and client.
The Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Centre is an in-person support service for those aged 18 and over.
Open for walk-ins:
- Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm
- Saturday – by appointment
It is free and no appointment or referral is needed.
Recovery
Healthy North Coast delivers a range of programs to support our communities in recovery.
Safe Havens
Safe Havens community support and wellbeing hubs offer free on-the-spot services and advice 9-3pm Monday to Friday. Four Safe Haven sites are now operating across our Northern NSW region — Woodburn, Lismore, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah.
Medicare Mental Health PhonelineÂ
Call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 for advice, information and connection. Call 1800 595 212 to speak to a mental health professional today.Â
Lismore Medicare Mental Health Walk-in Centre​
Visit the Lismore Medicare Mental Health Walk-in Centre at the Lismore Health Precinct. It offers a safe and welcoming place for people to access mental health information, services and supports from multidisciplinary care teams over extended hours. Anyone can reach out for support for themselves, a loved one or patient and client.
It is free and no appointment or referral is needed.
Open hours:
- Mon to Fri 10 am − 8pmÂ
- Sat 12 pm − 8 pm
- Sun 10 am − 2 pm
Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Walk-in Centre​
Visit the Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health walk-in clinic at the Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre. They offer a safe and welcoming place for people to access mental health information, services and supports from multidisciplinary care teams over extended hours. Anyone can reach out for support for themselves, a loved one or patient and client.
The Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Centre is an in-person support service for those aged 18 and over.
Open for walk-ins:
- Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm
- Saturday – by appointment
It is free and no appointment or referral is needed.
Medicare Better Access Initiative
Talk to your GP or contact a Medicare-registered mental health professional, such as a psychologist or mental health social worker, to access up to 10 individual and up to 10 group allied mental health services each year.
Services are available for anyone whose mental health has been affected by bushfires, floods or other disasters. It is not limited to people living in directly impacted areas. People can self-refer to a mental health professional and a mental health treatment plan is not required. Fees may apply. Â
Resilient Kids
Resilient Kids supports the capacity and resilience of children, young people (ages 8-18), their parents and carers and schools across the Northern Rivers as part of our community recovery response to the 2022 floods. Resilient Kids will be delivered under three streams. With Stream 1 and 2 being delivered by Social Futures in consortia with The Family Centre and Human Nature Therapy. Services are available in schools and in 6 Wellbeing Hubs around the Northern Rivers, with outreach services to smaller towns and communities.
headspace
headspace provides a range of services to improve the health and wellbeing of young people aged 12-25 and their friends, families and carers across four core areas of:Â Â
- Mental Health and wellbeingÂ
- Physical and Sexual HealthÂ
- Work and Study SupportÂ
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
If you or someone you know could benefit from this support please phone or pop into a headspace service near you:Â Â
- headspace – Tweed Heads: 145 Wharf St, Tweed Heads – 07 5589 8700
- headspace – Lismore: Level 1/29 Molesworth St, Lismore – 02 6625 0200
- headspace – Grafton: 59 Duke St, Grafton – 02 6642 1520
- headspace – Coffs Harbour: 45/53 Little St, Coffs Harbour – 02 6652 1878
- headspace – Kempsey: 65 Smith St, Kempsey – 02 65393450
- headspace – Port Macquarie: 10/12 Short St, Port Macquarie – 02 6588 7300Â
Community Wellbeing and Resilience Program Â
Healthy North Coast (HNC) developed the Community Wellbeing and Resilience (CWR) Program to invest in place-based initiatives that support communities to recover from the impacts of natural disaster and build their capacity to face future challenges.
The targeted funding focuses on building resilience through strong social connections. Since 2022, HNC has commissioned 26 CWR grants to a total value of $6.3 million through Australian Government Department of Health, NSW Government Ministry of Health and Healthy North Coast funding. An independent evaluation has also been commissioned to assess program outcomes and impact.
